After years of struggling to find an identity, Sky 1’s fortunes revived under Murphy. It has beefed up its U.K. commissions to complement a lineup of U.S. shows that includes fare like “The Simpsons” and “Modern Family.” MacDonald will be expected to build on that success.

Like Turner Laing and Murphy, MacDonald is a former BBC staffer. He was head of planning and scheduling at flagship web BBC1.

He has also worked for U.K. commercial terrestrial broadcaster ITV and shingle IWC Media.